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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 6, 1939)
PAGE EIGHT ' MEDFORD MATT TRIBUNE, MEDFORD, OREGON, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER, 6. 1939. by Frances Shelley Wees- ESTERDAY; Michael catches Miti Ltitev furtively searching ' the iroodi with a masniting jlass. She angrily denounce! him for "spying" on her, and telle him to find out about a gray hat left at McBnlni the night Murchlion went away. Chapter 23 Talk With McCain IT IS possible that Michael would never have acted on that strange hint of Mix Lissey had he not determined in any event to take Dr. McBain into his confi dence. Here was the man who must have in his possession knowl edge to clear up a great deal of the mystery surrounding Edgar Murchison if only he were so ln ' ciined: a man who had already shown that he was kindly toward Murchison. level-headed and fair minded. At dusk that evening Michael lifted the knocker on the McBain door. McBain himself answered the door, in slippers and smoking jacket, the inevitable pipe in his hand. "Come In, com In," he said heartily, holding out a welcoming hand. "It's good of you to come.' "Thanks," Michael replied. "I hope you're not busy. I want to have a talk with you. McBain led him into a small comfortable room on the right; a man's room, with deep chairs and an air of untidiness. The news paper was spread open on the ta ble, and part of it lay on thefloor. "You'll see how busy I am," his host said with a smile. "I wag Just having a smoke and finishing the paper." Ho indicated a chair with a wave of his hand, and Michael sat down. "I'll come right to the point," aid Michael, and looked across at McBain, who put his pipe in his mouth, crossed his knees, and glanced up inquiringly. "You'll re member I asked you several ques tions about Professor Murchison the night of the Dcanes' party?" "Yes." He smoothed down the fringe of hair on each side of the high white forehead. His eyes were deeply attentive. Michael hesitated. "I'm afraid I was doing something not quite po lite," he said. "I was . . . well, I was pumping you." "Pumping me?" Michael leaned forward and clasped his hands between his knees. "That business about the women," he explained. "I hadn't heard anything. I was looking for Information." McBrain frowned. The wrinkles at the side of his strong face deep ened. "You had some purpose, I suppose?' ''Yes." He paused again. "Did It ever occur to you, Dr. McBain, that it was rather queer of Pro fessor Murchison, whom you knew so well, to leave as he did without a word of farewell to you, or an explanation?" McBnin raised his eyebrows. "It did," he said quietly. "Did you ever ask his wife, or his brother, where and why he had lone?" A Bit Offended' IT WAS McBain's turn to hesi tate. 'To tell you the truth, For rester," he said, after a moment, "I was a bit offended. I considered that some explanation was due me, particularly as Murchison and I had planned to do a bit of re search together. I didn't ask for several days, because I was huffed, and then I spoke to Duncan. I don't care much for Mrs. Murchison." "And what did Duncan say. may 1 ask"' McBain looked at him directly. Before I answer that I should like to know Just what you are getting at, Forrester." "I'm sorry, I should have told you . . . well, plainly, It's this. The Professor did not go away on a business trip. He disappeared, and no one knew where he went." "Surely, that isn't possible!" "Well, it's the truth." McBain was thoughtful. "Then that may explain what Duncan meant," he said half to himself. "1 was a bit puzzled." "What did he say?" "He said . . . 'You'll have to ask his wife for thr answer to that question . . . and I don't suppose she'll toll you.' " "Did he seem content, or what?" "He was angry. But ... I sup- fmse there's no harm In mention ng it to vou ... he and his sister- in-law have never gotten along any too well. They re both hot tempered. I put it down to a fit of pique. You say she doesn't know where her husband Is either?" "No." "You had something of that In mind, then, when you spoke about his interest in women" "Yes. The only explanation that seemed to fit the facts would be that of his having gone off with some other woman." McBain shook his head. "No. I shall never believe that possible. He wasn't that sort." "You are still sure of that?" "Positive. Do vou mind telling me . . . have you any definite rea son for thinking of such an ex plantation?" "Do you mind if we come to that Inter? There are a lot of things I'd like to ask vou first." "Anything I know is at your dis posal.'1 he said grimly. "Well then, can you remember when vou saw Edgar Murchison last?" "I walked home with him from the University on the afternoon of the day the University closed. He must have gone that night or early the next morning." "Did he seem disturbed about anything?" ''Not at all. He was a bit pre occupied, but nothing more." "About what?" "I do not know unless it might be money matters." "Money matters?" "His wife's extravagance was a continual source of worry to him. He mentioned then, I remember, that he would need to work all vacation to keep ahead of the game." "He had a considerable bank balance?" "Possibly, but she planned an extensive holiday, I believe. This was not said in so many words, you know. I knew him pretty well it was merely from a word here and there that I gather this." "You never heard him mention any jjroperty, valuable property?" 'That he owned? No. Although let me see No." "Why did you hesitate?" "I realized that I was mistaken as soon as I spoke. His wife cor rected me unconsciously the other night." "How, Dr. McBain?" 'Happy At First' "VOU wouldn't have noticed, I perhaps. It was in regard to a diamond necklace Mrs. Deane questioned her about one. I was rather under the impression that those were diamonds, and if that is so, they must have been Murchi son's property. His wife was pen niless when he married her. He told me that once. But she said quite frankly that her necklace was not diamonds, so I was wrong." "Had he' told you of owning any diamonds?" "No. But I saw the necklace In question on Christmas Eve, and once or twice previously. I certain ly took the stones to be diamonds. My wife and I spoke of them to each other, and wondered private ly how he managed diamonds on his income. However, I was wrong." "You say his wife was penni less. How long had they been mar ried?" "Five or six years, I believe." "They were happy?" "Thev . . . thev seemed happy when they first came." But not later. What caused the break, Dr. McBain?" He ran his long sensitive hand nervously over his head. "I dislike this personal material," he said. "it may oe very important. "Well, then it seems to me I noticed a rift after the Devoes came. He did not like them, and as they were her relatives, it made matters rather unpleasant." "Mow does it happen that her cousin came to this University? It looks like a coincidence." 'I believe that Murchison was Instrumental in getting him the place." "He hart known Uevoe previous ly, then?" No. 1 think not. His credentials were good, and Mrs. Murchison spoke so highly of him that when the opening was made known. Murchison recommended Devoe." Michael considered for a mo ment, then looked up with an air of decision. "I'll tell you the whole story," he said frankly, "and per haps you'll be good enough to tell ma urVtnt unn thinU nt ." An1 with that he told McBain of the letter which had come to the police regarding the Professor's dia monds; or the Commissioners idea that he, Michael, by living on the campus might get some clue to the strange mystery; of, finally, the discovery of the diamonds, and of the sheaf of letters which had been in the box with them. Mc Bain listened in absolute silence, looking up once or twice, but never interrupting, never speak ing until Michael came to the end of his recital. Then "You actually found these diamonds?" he asked incredulously. "We did. Had them tested by an exnert tnrlnv. nnri llipv're thp rinl thing. He values them at fifty thou sand dollars, so they ve swred them away in a safety deposit vault at Headquarters until we find out to whom they belong." He leaned back in his chair. "Who would be your choice for the writ er of that letter, sir?" he asked, his eyes on the other man's face. "The letter about the diamonds." . McBain frowned. "1 don't un derstand it," he said in bewilder ment. "Diamonds love lettersl Edgar Murchison! Actually, For rester, it all sounds perfectly pre posterous and most unbelievable, why, the man's a friend of mine ... an intimate friend! This can't be true, this rigmarole of romance you're telling me." "Nevertheless, It Is," said Mi chael dryly. "And it's just as inex plicable to us, I can assure you." McBain got up and paced the floor. "Who wrote the letter, you sayr ne muttered to himself af ter a moment. "God knows. II they're Murchison's diamonds . . . how about his wife for a guess?" "Why should she write it? II she wanted to know, why didn't she ask it. ask help in finding them. Site denies that he possessed anyl No. she didn't write it." "Then it must be someone who knew of them, yet who was afraid to show a hand in the business. . . . By Jove!" he said suddenly, and stopped short. "Yes?" McUrain's brow was dark. 'That woman," he said angrily "It sounds like one of her tricks. Try ing to cause trouble as usual. Knows something and doesn't quite understand, and rocs spying about until she satisfies herself Alix Lissey, I'd be willing to swear, is vour letter writer." Continued tomorrow On the RADIO CHAINS STATIONS trhere to Find Them on the Dial: Kes, Portland. 1180; KFI, U10, Los Anzelei; KUA, 1470, Spokane: KGO, 7110. San Francisco; KUW 620, Portland; KJR, 870. Seattle; KNX, I0S0, Los Angeles; KOA, 30. Denver; KOIN, 810. Portland: KOMO. 026. Seattle: KI'O, 630, Nan Franrlnco; KSI 1 180, Salt Lake. Wednesday, t .OO Prank and Archie, KEX, KJR; Sunset Shadows, KGO: Fred Waring. KPO. KOW, KfT. 6 :30 Kelaey's Orch., KPO, KOW, KPI: We Present, KCIO, KJR. 6:00 Beyond Reasonable Doubt, KOO. KEX, KJR; Theater, KSL, KOIN, KNX; Drama, KOMO: Mu sical Soiree, KPT, KOW; Safety First, KPO. 8:18 Tlpo the Clown, KOO; Mu sical Soiree, KPO. 6:30 Horse and Buggy Days, KGO, KEX; Playhouse, KPO, KFT, KOW; News, KJR. 7:00 Sketch, KNX, KSL. KOIN; Kyser'a Orch., KPO. KGW. KFT; Football Award, KGO, KJR, KEX. 7:30 Burns and Allen. KNX, KOIN, KSL: Adventures in Photog raphy, KGO. KJR. 8:00 Warlng'a Orch., KPO: Breez ing Along. KGO, KJR, KEX; Amos and Andy, KNX, KOIN, KSL. 8:161 Love a Mystery, KPO, KGW, KPT; Lum and Abner, KSL, KNX, KOIN. 8 :30 Whlteman's Orch.. KNX. KSL, KOIN; Quia Prgm.. KGO, KJR, KEX; Avalon Time, KPO. KFT, KOW. 0:00 Pearce's Oang. KNX. KSL. KOIN: Fred Allen, KPO, KGW; KPT; Marriage Club, KGO. 0:30 Noble's Orch., KOO, KEX, News. KJR. 10:00 Martin's Orch., KGO, KJR, KEX: Sullivan, KNX, KSL: News Re porter, KPO, KFT. KGW; News. KOIN. 10:30 Madrlguera's Orch., KJR, KEX; Ravazza's Orcn., KPI, KOW. 11:00 Oray's Orch., KOIN; ttngham'a Orch., KPO. KPI; Movln World, KEX. KJR; KGO, KGW. KGO, KPO, Not ThU News, TIltirMlay 8:00 Rhythm Factory. KPO. KGW; Prank and Archie, KEX, KJR; Sun set Shadows, KGO. 6:30 Drama. KOMO; Kelsey's Orch., KGO, KEX, KJR: Army Band, KPO, KOW. 6:00 Major Bowes. KNX. KOIN, KSL: Good News of 1040. KPO, KPI. KGW; Beyond Reasonable Doubt, KGO. KEX. KJR. 7:00 Workshop, KOIN; Music Hall, KPO, KFT. 7:30 Pop-Off s, KNX, KOIN; News, KSL. 8:00 Fred Waring, KPO, KGW. KFI: Cutler's Orch, KEX; Aloha Land. KOO; Amos ar.d Andy, KNX, KSL, KOIN. 8:16 Sam Hays, KNX; Cutler's Orch, KOO; Mystery, KPO. KGW, KPI. 8 :30 Symphony Hour, KPO, KGW, KFT; Ask-It-Basket, KNX, KSL, KOIN; Lyman's Orch, KGO. 0:00 Strange As It Seems, KNX, KSL, KOIN; Sketch, KOO, KJR, KEX. 0:30 Those We Love. KPO, KFT, KOW; Roger'! Orch., KGW; Owens' Orch, KSL; Madrlguera's Orch, KGO, KEX; Operetta Series, KNX, KOIN-; News. KJR. 10:00 News Reporter, KPO, KGW, KFT; News. KOIN, KNX: Foster's Orch, KGO, KJR, KEX; News, KOIN. 10:15 Noble's Orch, KGW; Con cert Hal), KPO; Clark Roes and Yeo. KOIN. KNX. 10:30 Ravazza's Orch, KPO, KGW, KFI; Roland's Orch, KOIN. KNX; Nottingham's Orch, KGO, KJR. KEX. 11:00 Martina Orch, KPO, KFI; This Moving World. KEX, KJR; Grays Orch, KSL, KOIN; News. KGO, KNX. KOW. reliable unofficial sources said the attacker was the 10,000-ton Admiral Scheer. Pocket Battleship Gets Food Carrier By the Associated Press, The second of Germany's trio of pocket battleships apparently has returned to action, but the whereabouts of the third re mains unknown. Sinking in the South Atlantic yesterday of the food-laden Brit ish steamer Doric Star was at tributed to "a German raider" by the British admiralty, but IS UPHELD BY COURT Salem, Dec. 6. ()) The lar ceny conviction of Fred W. Ger man, president of a Portland real estate company bearing his name, was nt.lirld Tuesday by the state supreme court. German, who was sentenced June 30, 11138. to serve two years In the state penitentiary. was charged with lnrconv by embezzlement. The Indictment accused him of taking J300 be longing to a client. The opinion, by Justice Kelly, upheld Circuit Judge Earl C. Latourette. SUBURBAN HEIGHTS By GLUYAS WILLIAMS fa B0WIER5 At frit: CDMMUNrtV CLUB -fHOU&Rf If WAS VERV COMSlDERfitE OF The LADIES fo SEf OUf REFRE5HMEN15 IN friE PANTRy. AND If WASN'T LWiL-THE LRST CRUMB HAD THAT If IVAS DIS COVERED That the ladies had prepared the refreshments for. intlK OWN BKiuSt CLUb WHICH WAS MEETING UKSTAtiR.6 (Bcltwd br Thn tlfll Synrtlratc. I nr. ; r16 HEDLUND CHAIRMAN OF STATE BIRTHDAY BALLS Portland, Dec. 6. (P) Dr. E. T. Hedlund, Portland postmas ter, became Oregon chairman of the seventh annual Presi dent's birthday ball today. Re ceipts from the January 30 event will be used infantile paralysis. to combat Cut Cotton Subsidy. Washington, Dec. 8. VP)--Secretary Wallace announced to day that the rate of the govern ment subsidy payment on cot ton exports would be reduced by half, effective at midnight tonight. Ose Mall Trtbun want ads. To Fight Inspection. Salem. Dec. 6. M The un employment compensation com mission served notice today it would ask the state supreme court next Thursday for a writ of mandamus to prevent carry ing out of Circuit Judge L. G. Lewelling's order giving Emmet T. Rogers of Portland the right to inspect the commission's books. STRANGE AS IT SEEMS By JOHN HIX For further proof address the author, lnclostnf stamped envelop tor reply. Reg. TJ. S. Pat. Off. zSHrr , unusual nauralrock profile of a manK. BROTHERS, offfinlsjetes. IN1H6 SAME ROOM AMD SLEEP VV J'.V-A ili tm Jf-TUhtlB KlnT 'EEN EACH OTHER IN 2 YEARS friey ARE NoTBUNP,,, CWASfaoPHe ' A CATefoFF A . pUttARAlARfANA, r KAHsfv5 crry WAREHOUSE gy WN-KIN6 Pft9TAN 'ELECTRIC EVi'm LH TAIL ERECT PAN PATCH famous harness horse, WtlV THE WORLD'S PACIN6 RECORD FoR 33 YEARS IZ-6 BROTHER STRANGERS Although they have lived in the same room and slept in the same bed for two years, J. E. O'Leary and D. L. O'Leary, of Ennis, Texas, have not seen each other the whole timet Strange as it seems, the explanation is simple. J. E. O'Leary is a railroad engineer. He leaves for Houston Mondays and rem ns to Ennis Thursdays. D. L. O'Leary is a railroad conduc tor. He starts for Houston Wednesdays after 24 hours in Ennis, where they both share a room and bed. The brothers maintain separate homes in Houston. 33-YEAR-OLD RECORD. When famous old Dan Patch in 1905 paced the mile in 1.55 1-4 he set a world's record destined to stand for 33 years years until Billy Direct's remarkable mile of last year. TOMORROW: The Coconut Worldl TAILSPIN TOMMY An Aerial Student ObjectsI By HAL FORRES" CtoMlvi time for Too e to Ctaa !fy Ads Is I 10 p. m (Jm Maii Tribune want ads. TWHEE POINT HAS OPENED AN AlR. COLLEGE .' IN "THE CLASS ROOM, TOMMY, AT THE BLACK BOARD, IS INSTRUCTING A CLAS.... OM,TEACH6a..AM f PIPE IVOU'VE GOT "SX JWi VOU?.. I AftN6rrSYT I SUPPOSED TO BWN&M DOWN, TO LEARN -rv TRICK IN TH' I YUH A NICE RSP M VOU THE GROUND J 1 MARINES -I I APPLE: TO GIT YUH V LUG' COURSE J Vii--A ONCE'T. I 'NOW THIS REPRESENTS THeWv1 TO TAK6 MB UP BEFORE YDU ) VVVAN'... OH, YEAH', WELL I WAS A JAILOR.! ATLANTIC FLEET MIDDLE-WEIGHT CHAMP.. LET J. Ore r v: -rxryA k ACQUAINTED, Jgs. s fw. ittlb, fnJlrt retort HrvMnU. Ih. ff-4v J V,-n-fi"P Tt Krt. f B- r.L Off AU rtihU tntnti . 1 C'iOij lOPPv C BEN WEBSTER'S CAREER Happy Dayl By EDWIN ALGER ITS ELECTION PAV AT HAPPy VALLEV ANP A LONG LINE OF CITI2rTN& IS AT BOTH VOTING PLACES..-. BUT THERE h NO POUBT OF THE OUTCOME IT'S A TIPAL WAVE OF VOTE4 FOB. WILLIS 8AUINGER I THEM , V T n Vr7J7 rlw - Lmm, : I ( .M' I JEST TREMBLE MA ( HEjS 5KIPPEP Vf 'MEMBER WHAT I S-AltA WHEN I THINK HOW TOWN, 7 PEEPK. -I ALL AL0N6 'BOUT ) CLOSE VJE COME TO Tfflfo. AIN'T HE ? IT HE . Wffll J THI$ ELECTION!? f GETTlN' THAT SCAMP KWy V HAS "'m' A PUSHOVFA FOR Yj , 'i . THE NEBBS There's a Limit to Everything By SOL HESP IZ NOW I UNDERSTAND "XV"' '"wELL , Yt- SITSO VOU'RE fllFwEU. , ITS NOT OMLV TOSELL, IP SUDtR THINKS TN bw,SO KNIT A N MNOU'RG PUTTINo MONEY- GETTING WIM OUTW SPENDING A LOTser UIM OUT.ME'S GOT Wso P J WMV DOT VoUlLT ORCROCHET 1 N THAT OLD - - J op : HERE, Atsfr IM OP MONEY OUST ) .SOMETHING IN THIS fl NOU LET WIM PUT WIS MONEV SOME LACE OR IV REMODELING IT FOR j f ? M TO GET WIM OUT OF CONCENTRATED POWER pk T ?.. ILL BET WE WOULDNTj SOMETHING AND I THAT NUT ' ' ; - HERE - V COULD VV ptu EVEN SLIDER. A D,ME IMTO Tw's NUTS STOP ROOTING IN A I 7 Kii pi rr , . . J. THROW HIM OUT 5A.ID SO y-f y 'SCHEME 1 DON'T COnSIDERAnOUR HUSBANDS I i JL I'l r '" ) '? FOR HALF THE 7 v-T-i SLIDER SMART BUT WE -ffJJt I i! fl - . PRICE!- ( CTSV ' I D0ESMTHAVETO s : WfVI
